"The Laptop for Klutzes"

Today, we came across a Tom's Guide review of the Samsung netbook (model N130) with Phoenix FailSafe™.

The reviewer Rachel Rosmarin wrote that the Samsung N130 is durable, solid and rugged. She went on to say: "The corners are nicely rounded and grippable, and the lid is anything but flimsy. The fact that the lid is matte, not shiny, make it one of the first netbooks we’ve tested to avoid the fingerprint-magnet trap...When we factored each of these features into the price (it is easy to find for under $300), and then tested the Phoenix Failsafe laptop tracking software trial that comes loaded on the machine, we came to one conclusion: This netbook is the perfect gift for a klutz (or a ditz). And klutzes deserve gifts, too."

Writing specifically about FailSafe, Rosmarin states, "Finally, if the N130 does get lost, left behind, or stolen, the $39.95 investment in a year’s subscription to the Failsafe service means it has a good shot at being tracked down (even if a thief wipes the system and installs a new hard drive). After initial set-up of FailSafe, a Web interface gives you the skinny on the computer’s last known locations, IP address, ISP and wireless network. You can disable the machine from afar, or start siphoning importing documents off of it. You can even send a message on the screen to the thief or good Samaritan who starts to use it. When paired with the Samsung N130 and a lovable klutz, FailSafe becomes a practical insurance policy that turns a $300 machine into an investment rather than a disposable tool."

Learn more about Samsung netbooks here.

A Big Boo Boo

A Children's Hospital of Philadelphia laptop containing personal info for 943 people was stolen from an employee's car this past October. This is yet another case where an employee’s laptop is stolen from a car and – guess what? – it didn't have proper security on it. So not only is the missing computer un-trackable, its contents with personal data is now available for exploitation by criminals.

Nearly a thousand people are now vulnerable to identity theft, though the hospital has said it is providing credit monitoring service for all the individuals whose information was compromised.

If you’re aware of security products like Phoenix Technologies FailSafe®, you can't help wondering why every employer and every individual is not rushing to protect themselves, their PCs, and their priceless data with this type of innovative security software/service.

We consumers need to start demanding that companies and organizations with files that contain our personal data to be handle with extreme care. Think about how much pain the loss of your personal data could cause you if it led to your identity being stolen. The time and money lost could be enormous.

Obviously, it’s time to address this issue. Whenever you give out personal information that could lead to loss of your identity, be sure to ask how the data’s going to be protected and if it’s going to be stored on mobile computing devices.

Check out these tips for good ways to protect your personal laptops from loss or theft.